Tidy Towns Gold Medal Winner 2008,09,10,11,12, 13 &14

Coolagown

"Nook of the Blacksmith" Cúil an Ghabhann

History of Coole Churches

A monastery was founded in Coole in the late 5th or early 6th century by St. Abban. Coole is described as a city in “The Life of St. Abban” written late in the middle ages. A relic of St. Patrick’s tooth is said to be preserved here. The Knights Templar’s, an order of military churchmen were introduced to Coole in the late 13th century. Only two early churches, several hundred meters apart survive today.

The larger church in the graveyard has two sections, a nave where the congregation worshipped and a chancel where the alter was sited. The nave was built in the 12th century and the chancel in the 13th century. Built into the wall of the Chancel is a stone on which a small flower is carved in the Romanesque style. The smaller church is to the south and a triangular headed window is preserved in the east gable.